Thesaurus results for RULERS

rulers

noun

plural of ruler

as in monarchs

one who rules over a people with a sole, supreme, and usually hereditary authority the aging ruler agonized over the choice of an heir

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of rulers Critics of Iran's clerical rulers hoped initially that Iran's government would collapse amid a bombing campaign that killed Iran's most senior military and religious officials, including its supreme leader. — Kim Hjelmgaard, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026 During the Sengoku period, clan leader Isshin Ashina leads a successful rebellion against the rulers to secure Ashina’s independence. — Aman Kumar, Encyclopedia Britannica, 27 Aug. 2026 Other Eurasian emperors of the time also did not persecute occult practitioners as Ivan did in the lead-up to the second oprichnina, actions more in line with attitudes in early modern Christian Europe than those common among rulers of Asia. — Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026 His death also encouraged Queen Victoria to leave the stone not to her son, the new Edward VII, but his wife Queen Alexandra, since the curse was thought to only affect male rulers. — Hadley Hall Meares, Vanity Fair, 17 Aug. 2026 Syria’s new rulers have asked Russia to hand the Assads over. — CNN Money, 11 Aug. 2026 Syria's new rulers have asked Russia to hand the Assads over. — FOXNews.com, 11 Aug. 2026 Both superstars have accumulated seven champions and share the honor of claiming the third-most rulers ever. — Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for rulers

Noun

Where to see monarchs in Oklahoma City Monarchs are often drawn to parks and gardens where milkweed and native nectaring plants can be found.

— Dale Denwalt, Oklahoman, 29 Aug. 2026
Danish and Swedish monarchs had ruled over the Scandinavian nation for centuries, until 1905.

— Terje Solsvik, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of monarchs

Noun

James topping the list by a significant margin when the likes of Mickey Mantle and Michael Jordan have long been seen as the kings of the sports card world may raise some eyebrows, but his priciest card to date does include Jordan on it.

— Larry Holder, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026
Anthony Hopkins has played villains and popes, presidents and dictators, titans of literature and comic book kings.

— Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of kings

Noun

In Italy, the worst drought in 70 years has exposed the piers of an ancient bridge over the Tiber River once used by Roman emperors but which fell into disrepair by the third century.

— CBS News, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026
The wreck also contained gold coins issued by four emperors of the Heraclian dynasty, which ruled the Byzantine Empire during the seventh and eighth centuries.

— Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of emperors

Noun

On 28 July, Moody’s changed its MENA outlook from stable to negative, noting that the impairment of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz will weigh on the growth of Gulf sovereigns, as well as their fiscal and external positions.

— Melissa Hancock, Fortune, 12 Aug. 2026
As one of the big three ratings agencies, alongside Fitch and Moody’s, S&P Global plays a crucial role in determining whether African sovereigns and businesses can secure capital from international financial markets.

— Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 29 July 2026

Definition of sovereigns

Browse Nearby Words

ruler

rulers

rulership

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Rulers.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rulers. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of rulers

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

dissonant

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Popular in Wordplay

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Games & Quizzes